Understanding Decolonization
Decolonization is a concept and process distinct from Equity, Diversity and/or Inclusion. This page connects to public writings and videos shared by primarily Indigenous voices to help contextualize decolonization and facilitate shared understanding. All the resources shared external to Western University are offered as points for consideration, not an implied endorsement. We hope this will help all of us to engage with decolonization as a concept and process with more clarity in our work at Schulich.
Defining Decolonization
"A necessary and ongoing process of unlearning, uncovering, and transforming legacies of colonialism, as well as utilizing educational and knowledge systems available to relearn and rebuild the social, cultural, and linguistic foundations that were lost, or eroded through colonialism. Decolonization also requires making space, balancing, generating, and enabling diverse knowledge systems to thrive in the academy as well as in and through educational and knowledge transmission places for Indigenous peoples, the formerly colonized or continuing colonized nations, peoples, and cultural knowledge systems."
- Western’s Indigenous Initiatives Memorandum, April 19, 2021, Western University
Lamoureux, K. (2022, April 20). A Beginner's Guide to Decolonization [YouTube Video]. TEDxTalks. TEDxSurrey. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/GFUwnMHN_T8?si=o4bQvUg9jt8CD6zc>
"It is recognizing, challenging and dismantling systems and structures of oppression that continue to cause harm." – Adapted from "A Beginner's Guide to Decolonization" by Kevin Lamoureux | TEDxTalks
Sanchez, N. (2019, March 12). Decolonization Is for Everyone [YouTube Video]. TEDxTalks. TEDxSFU. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/QP9x1NnCWNY?si=dWsW-icc5-5oVKB7>
Glossary of Terms
Further Reading
Decolonization is not a Metaphor
“Decolonize (a verb) and decolonization (a noun) cannot easily be grafted onto pre-existing discourses/frameworks, even if they are critical, even if they are anti-racist, even if they are justice frameworks…Decolonization is not a swappable term for other things we want to do to improve our societies and schools. Decolonization doesn’t have a synonym.” (Tuck & Yang, 2012).
Decolonizing Health in Canada: A Manitoba First Nation Perspective
A necessary transformational shift in order to improve Indigenous health…Decolonization includes resituating expertise such that Indigenous peoples become experts of their own health experiences, voicing and acting upon health initiatives (Eni, Phillips-Beck, Achan, et al., 2021).
Defining Decolonization in Context
Decolonization addresses the multiple facets of disconnect between healthcare and Indigenous health outcomes, and the root of perpetual inequity itself. It is a process of reclamation of political, cultural, economic and social self-determination, including the re-development of positive individual, familial, community and nation level identities. Decolonization draws on colonial legacies, drawing on the knowledges and practices of pre-colonial, “traditional” times. These efforts require active involvement of Indigenous as well as non-Indigenous peoples (Mundel & Chapman). Decolonization has a revolutionary potential that requires the dismantling of colonialism as the dominant model upon which Canadian society, and healthcare provision, more specifically, operate (Eni, Phillips-Beck, Achan, et al., 2021).
Sources:
Belfi, E. & Sandiford, N. (2021). Decolonization Series Part 1: Exploring Decolonization. In S. Brandauer and E. Hartman (Eds.). Interdependence: Global Solidarity and Local Actions. The Community-based Global Learning Collaborative. Retrieved from: https://www.cbglcollab.org/what-is-decolonization-why-is-it-important
Lamoureux, K. (2022, April 20). A Beginner's Guide to Decolonization [YouTube Video]. TEDxTalks. TEDxSurrey. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/GFUwnMHN_T8?si=o4bQvUg9jt8CD6zc>
Sanchez, N. (2019, March 12). Decolonization Is for Everyone [YouTube Video]. TEDxTalks. TEDxSFU. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/QP9x1NnCWNY?si=dWsW-icc5-5oVKB7>
Antoine, Asma-na-hi. Mason, Rachel. Mason, Roberta. Palahicky, Sophia. and Rodriguez de France, Carmen. (2018, September 5). Pulling Together: A Guide for Curriculum Developers. Glossary of Terms. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/indigenizationcurriculumdevelopers/back-matter/glossary/
April 19th, 2021 memo “Guidance for Western’s Administrators on EDI and Indigenous Initiatives” by Nicole Kaniki Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism, Bertha Garcia Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism, Candace Brunette-Debassige Special Advisor to the Provost, Indigenous Initiatives and Christy R. Bressette Vice-Provost/Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives.
Tuck, E., & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization, indigeneity, education & society, 1(1). Retrieved from https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/des/article/view/18630
Eni, R., Phillips-Beck, W., Achan, G.K. et al. Decolonizing health in Canada: A Manitoba first nation perspective. Int J Equity Health 20, 206 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-021-01539-7 Retrieved from
https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-021-01539-7
